Smoke-gewebatob



W. SIEGEL.

SMOKE GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED our. 29. i915.

Patento Aug. 22, 191453.

Pnomuwo WASH/NE ran 0 c IINIT STE WILLIAM! SIEGEL, OF WILKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA.

SMOKE-GENERATOR.

aromas.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

Application filed October 29, 1915. Serial No. 58,615.

T 0 all whom 2'25 may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM SIEGEL, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vilkes-Barre, in the county of Luzerne and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Smoke-Generators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a device for generating smoke and forcing it into a system of plumbing or other pipes for the purpose of detecting and locating leaks.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient device of this character having a minimum number of parts, which device shall be practical in construction, positive in operation, and capable of being conveniently carried from place to place.

In order that the invention may be readily understood, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, and in which,

Figure 1 is a vertical, central section through the complete device; and, Fig. 2 is a horizontal section therethrough substantially on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the improved device comprises an outer casing or tank 1, which may be of any suitable shape, being shown as cylindrical. This tank is nearly filled with water, the upper surface of which is indicated by the line X. Loosely fitting within the tank 1 is a bell 2, having its lower edge immersed beneath the surface of the water and extending preferably do-wn into the lower part of the tank.

T0 the top of the bell 2 is secured a strap 3, bent up at its middle to form a handle 4, and having its ends bent down over the edge of the bell and provided with beveled hooks 5. These hooks are adapted to engage in eyes formed in resilient lugs 6, attached to the upper edge of the tank. 1, at diametrically opposite points. It will be seen that when these hooks and eyes are engaged, as shown in the drawing, the whole tank may be lifted by means of'the handle 1, and thus carried about.

Near the bottom of the tank 1 is located a fire-box 7 which, as shown, consists of a cylindrical tube horizontally disposed and opening out through the side of the tank. From the inner end of this tube extends a vertically disposed fine 8, which reaches to a height preferably, at least, equal to that of the tank. Between the fire-box 7 and flue 8 1s placed a series of bars 7*, constituting a grating, to prevent combustible material from being drawn up through the flue.

The upper end of the flue 8 is controlled by a valve in the form of an auxiliary bell 9, fitting over the said fine and extending down approximately to the bottom thereof. The flat top 10 of the bell 9 seats snugly against the upper end of the flue 8 and closes the same. The closure is made more complete by virtue of the water seal existing within the hell 9. This bell is, however, provided intermediate its ends with an annular series of openings 11, which openings are normally below the water level, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. In order to render the movements of the bell 9 smooth and regular, such bell is provided near its lower end with a radially extending annular flange 12.

A discharge pipe 13 extends from the space within the hell 2, above the water level, out through the side of the tank 1. The upper end of the pipe 13 carries a check valve which may be conveniently constructed as shown. This valve device preferably consists of a cup 14:, secured to the pipe 13, and having a cover 15 provided with an opening 16. Within this cup is a valve member 17, provided with a series of per forations 18. It will be evident that when the valve member 17 is in the position shown in Fig. 1, gases may pass from within the bell 2, through the openings 16 and 18, into the pipe 13, but if a flow of gases should take place in the opposite direction, the valve member 17 will seat against the underside of the cover 15, and thus close the opening 16.

A piece of hose 19 is preferably employed to connect the discharge pipe 13 with the plumbing system to be tested. An outlet 20 may be provided at the bottom of the tank for draining the same when desired.

In operation, cotton waste or other suitable material is inserted in the fire-box 7, as indicated at W, in Fig. 1, and ignited. Upon releasing the hooks and eyes 5 and 6 and pulling upwardly on the handle 4:, the bell 2 will be lifted and will suck air in through the fire-box and combustible material, and up through the flue 8 into the smoke chamber formed in the upper part of the bell above the water level. During this upward stroke of the bell 2, the aux iliary bell or valve member 9 also rises, due to the air pressure, until the openings 11 lie above the water level, so that the incoming gases may pass through such openings into the smoke chamber. Also, during such upward stroke of the bell 2, the valve 17 seats against the cover 15 and closes the opening 16, so as to prevent an influx of air through the pipe 13. Upon now lowering the bell 2, the valve 17 opens, as above explained, thus forcing the gases and smoke from the smoke chamber out through the pipe 13 and connection 19 into the plumbing system, the auxiliary bell 9 immediately falling into the position shown in Fig. 1, so as to close the flue 8. Thus, by raising and lowering the hell 2, the operator is able to exert a pumping acti'on, drawing the products of combustion in through the flue S and expelling them through the pipe 13.

After the piping system has been filled with smoke and gases, the bell 2, when raised, will remain up, being sustained by the pressure within. If the plumbing system being tested is absolutely tight, the bell will continue indefinitely in its elevated position, while, if there should be a leak in the system the bell will gradually settle as the gases escape. If, by this means, there is found to be a leak, the location of the leak is indicated by the jet of smoke which issues therefrom.

, It will be seen that combustible material may be inserted in or removed from the firebox without in any way disturbing the other parts of the apparatus and, as pointed out above, the handle 4 serves the double purpose of reciprocating the bell and of carrying the device from place to place.

What I claim is:

1. A smoke generator comprising a water tank, a smoke chamber consisting of a bell vertically movable in said tank, a fire-box having a flue discharging into said smoke chamber at a point above the water level in said tank, a second bell inclosing the upper end of said flue and extending below the water level, and a discharge pipe communicating with said smoke chamber and provided with a check valve.

2. A smoke generator comprising a water tank, a smoke chamber consisting of a bell vertically movable in said tank, a fire-box in the lower part of said tank and opening outwardly through the side thereof, a vertically extending flue connected with said firebox and terminating within said bell above the water level, and a vertically movable valve member in the form of a bell fitting over the-upper end of said flue and dipping below the water level, and a discharge pipe communicating with said smoke chamber.

3. A smoke generator comprising a water Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by Washington, D. 0.

tank, a smoke chamber consisting of a bell movable in said tank and having its lower edges below the Water level, an elongated tubular fire-box disposed horizontally near but above the bottom of said tank, and below the water level therein, whereby said box is entirely surrounded by water, one end of said fire-box opening out through the side of the tank, a flue extending upwardly into said smoke chamber from the other end of said fire-box, a discharge pipe communieating with said smoke chamber, and suitable check valves controlling the flow of gases through said flue and discharge pipe.

1. A smoke generator comprising a water tank, a smoke chamber consisting of a bell movable in said tank and having its lower edges below the water level, a fire-box, a vertical flue extending upwardly from said firebox into said smoke chamber, a discharge pipe communicating with said smoke chamber and having a check valve, and a valve controlling the flow of gases through said flue, said valve consisting of a second bell enveloping the upper part of said flue and having its lower edges permanently immersed, said bell being provided, intermediate its ends with an opening so located as to lie sometimes above and sometimes below the surface of the water.

5. A smoke generator comprising a water tank, firebox, and smoke chamber, said chamber being formed by a bell vertlcally movable in said tank, an inlet pipe connecting said fire-box and smoke chamber, and an outlet pipe, said pipes having suitable valves, whereby, when said bell is vertically reciprocated, smoke is drawn in through said inlet pipe and expelled through said outlet pipe, and a handle secured to the top of said bell by means of which it may be thus reciprocated.

6. A smoke generator comprising a water tank, fire-box, and smoke chamber, said chamber being formed by a bell vertically movable in said tank, an inlet pipe connecting said fire-box and smoke chamber, and an outlet pipe, said pipes having suitable valves, whereby, when said bell is vertically reciprocated, smoke is drawn in through said inlet pipe and expelled through said outlet pipe, a handle secured to the top of said bell, and inter-engaging hooks and eyes carried by the upper edges of said tank and bell respectively, whereby, when said hooks and eyes are engaged, the entire tank may be lifted by said handle, and when disengaged, the bell may be reciprocated by the handle.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

WVILLIAM SIEGEL;

addressing the Commissioner of Patents; 

